Margaret's+Letter

Dear Catherine, My sweet lovely daughter I have just gone through a dangerous and fearful trip. I am in the nearest shelter I could find in Dundee, Scotland. As you know, I went on the Forfarshire for a journey and it has not turned out well. I was on the Forfarshire in my cabin resting in my bed, when suddenly a great storm arose. Later on there was a huge crash and everything in my room rattled and then fell with a loud boom.Then the ship started to break apart it was a disaster it also drifted. There was only one lifeboat and the current was very violent out on sea. I have to admit I was very frightened. Thankfully a brave daughter and father came out to save us, but they only had one little row boat, which everybody could not fit into. Somehow was able to go in that boat. The waves were very powerful and Grace and her father must have had very strong arms to paddle us in that rough current. I guess we should have known that from the point when the ship’s boiler and engine failed, it was going downhill from there on. Now I am on my way to see you but it might take a little longer than expected. I am still resting and trying to get my mind off the awful disaster, but it is going to take a while. Every night I pray for the people who got drifted onto the rocks and were seriously injured, I am so thankful I am alive and safe. When the ship started to break apart I got a lot of scrapes, a little frost bite from the ice cold water, and I have a very high fever that is not going down one bit. So my health right now is probably no where near as bad as the others. I hope you are doing okay. I’m trying my best to plan how I will get to see you after I have taken care of my illness. Maybe I will try to catch a train down south to Hull, and we could meet up there. I now am scared of ships, so I won’t be taking another one for awhile. I love you and can’t wait to see you!! I miss you a lot and am so eager to make my way to Hull.

You’re loving mother, Elizabeth

Dear Mother, Hello mother, its your daughter Catherine. I am horrified of what happened on the SS Forfashire! I hope your safe in Dundee, and i sure hope your fever goes down soon. It is just so scary to hear about those things! I was very frightened to hear about the ship wreak in the early morning paper. Papa and I are so upset but also feel glad that your fine and living. I cant believe this happened, it broke my heart! Papa and I pray night and day all of the time for the past week for everyone even the people that had no harm done to them. Grace and her father must have very strong arms to get you through that mother! I thank Grace and her father for saving my mother! i don't know what I would do without you! Even Grandma was so sad that she came over to check on how we were doing! I hope all is well in Dundee! Of course Papa and I could meet you in Hull! I miss you so much mother. I thought you would die with the rest of them! We can meet you in Hull in about a week! I know that it is a little late but, its the earliest we can see you. I love you mother, and i hope you feel better soon. I cant wait to see you in Hull!

Your daughter, Catherine